So I went to Perath and dug up the loincloth. I took it out of the crack in the rocks where I had hidden it. But now I could not wear the loincloth, because it was ruined. It was not good for anything.
I will ruin them because they refuse to listen to my messages. They are stubborn and do only what they want to do. They follow and worship other gods. They will be like this linen loincloth. They will be ruined and not good for anything.
A loincloth is wrapped tightly around a man's waist. In the same way I wrapped the family of Israel and the family of Judah around me." This message is from the Lord. "I did that so they would be my people and bring me fame, praise, and honor. But my people did not listen to me."
"Jeremiah, say to the people of Judah: 'This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Every wineskin should be filled with wine.' They will laugh and say to you, 'Of course, we know that every wineskin should be filled with wine.'
Then you will say to them, 'This is what the Lord says: I will make everyone who lives in this land helpless, like a drunken person. I am talking about the kings who sit on David's throne. I am also talking about the priests, the prophets, and all the people who live in Jerusalem.
I will make them stumble and fall against each other, even the fathers and sons.' This message is from the Lord. 'I will not feel sorry or have pity for them. I will not allow compassion to stop me from destroying the people of Judah.'"
Honor the Lord your God. Praise him or he will bring darkness. Praise him before you fall on the dark hills. You people of Judah are hoping for light, but the Lord will turn the light into thick darkness. He will change the light into a very thick darkness.
If you people of Judah don't listen to him, I will hide and cry. Your pride will cause me to cry. I will cry very hard. My eyes will overflow with tears, because the Lord's flock will be captured.
The cities in the Negev are locked. No one can open them. All the people of Judah have been taken away as captives. They were carried away as prisoners.
What will you say when the Lord asks you to account for that flock? You were supposed to teach the people. Your leaders were supposed to lead them. So you will suffer pain and trouble, like a woman giving birth.
You might ask yourself, "Why has this bad thing happened to me?" It happened because of your many sins. Because of your sins, your skirt was torn off, and your sandals were taken away. They did this to embarrass you.
A black man cannot change the color of his skin, and a leopard cannot change his spots. In the same way, Jerusalem, you cannot change and do good. You always do bad things.
This is what will happen to you. This is your part in my plans." This message is from the Lord. "Why will this happen? Because you forgot me. You trusted false gods.
I saw the terrible things you did. I saw you laughing and having sex with your lovers. I know about your plans to be like a prostitute. I have seen you on the hills and in the fields. It will be very bad for you, Jerusalem. How long you will continue doing your dirty sins?"